European Court to hear John Catt legal challenge

The European Court will hear the case of John Catt, the 91-year old war veteran whose activities have been recorded by police forces on their domestic extremism database. In the meantime the police continue to monitor the lawful activities of journalists in the UK, a matter also under challenge.

Shamik Dutta acts for John Catt and the National Union of Journalists.

The ECtHR decision is the latest chapter in a seven year legal battle. If successful, the case will set limits, across Europe, on what private information the state can hold about citizens’ lawful activities. A series of revelations have established that the police retain information about protestors, politicians and journalists on its domestic extremism database. Read more on the Guardian's website here.